"Oh, by the way, Seiki, you mentioned earlier that the Kage Summit was called because of a secret organization. Have you been away for these three years investigating this organization?" Kurenai asked curiously.
"Not exactly," Seiki replied gravely, shaking his head. "What I've been investigating is another organization that's just as dangerous... possibly even more dangerous than the one we discussed."
"What? Another secret organization?" Guy exclaimed. "This world suddenly feels really weird!"
Shizune looked worried. "Such changes are truly concerning."
At that moment, Mei Terumi entered, followed by over a dozen Mist Jonin.
Seiki noticed that some of the Jonin accompanying Mei had previously supported the Mizukage.
"Has the Genjutsu on the Mizukage been released?"
At Seiki's question, the Jonin expressed a mix of emotion and gratitude.
"It has been released!"
"Just as you predicted, Mizukage-sama, the Mizukage was being controlled by evil forces!"
"I knew our Mizukage would never act that way on his own!"
"As for the scoundrel manipulating our Mizukage from behind, let's hope we never get our hands on him!"
Seiki continued, "Then where is your Mizukage now? There's something I'd like to inform him in person."
The group exchanged glances and shook their heads with sighs.
"Though those evil deeds weren't truly the Mizukage's will, he still felt extremely guilty and ashamed."
"The Mizukage said someone like him, whose hands are stained with the blood of his own people, no longer deserves to be Mizukage!"
This shocked Asuma and the others.
"Eh? Did the Mizukage resign out of shame?"
"A Kage resigning during peacetime? That's definitely big news!"
"So who is your new Fifth Mizukage?"
Taking a deep breath, Mei Terumi looked solemn. "I'm temporarily assuming the position of Fifth Mizukage."
"Fifth Mizukage?" Everyone looked disbelieving. Although Mei Terumi was powerful, she was still very young to hold such a position.
Seiki, however, remained perfectly calm and smiled as he said, "Congratulations, Lord Fifth Mizukage!"
Hearing Seiki's teasing tone, Mei Terumi replied helplessly, "You all know how questionable my qualifications as Mizukage really are."
Seiki shook his head slightly. "All I see is your dedication and efforts for the Mist."
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"Exactly," Guy agreed. "No one's efforts should ever be overlooked!"
Grateful, Mei Terumi turned to thank Seiki. "Thank you, Seiki."
Guy widened his eyes, waiting for his own thanks, only to see her smiling and talking to Seiki about other matters.
Seeing this, Guy nudged Asuma with his shoulder and whispered, "Why didn't anyone thank me?"
Asuma didn't respond but mused, "I wish our Konoha leader could go a little crazier too."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Though Danzo had gone too far, he hadn't reached the point of universal hatred yet. They still lacked the momentum needed to replicate the Mist's results.
Mizuki was secretly plotting, "How can I drive Danzo insane? Could I provoke him? But with what?"
Meanwhile, Seiki recounted the Raikage's invitation.
"The Kage Summit!" Mei inhaled deeply, "I never expected such a major event to happen right after I became the Mizukage!"
She turned toward the people behind her, "How much do you know about that organization?"
The gathered Mist Shinobi awkwardly shook their heads.
"I've vaguely heard of them, but didn't pay much attention."
"We hadn't even dealt with internal threats within our village yet, let alone had time to focus on external matters."
Mei's tone turned grave, "This Kage Summit is our chance to change the other villages' perception of Mist as the 'Land of Blood Mist' (a term referring to Mist's violent and chaotic past). Please, everyone, try your best to gather intelligence about that organization. We must show the ninja world a completely new image of the Mist!"
"Yes!"
Everyone nodded earnestly. Since the end of the Third Great Ninja War, Mist's reputation had never truly recovered. It was time to turn things around!
...
Several days later.
Within the Hokage building in Konoha.
"Hokage-sama, that guy Seiki Shimaseki has returned to the village!" Tatsuma asked with a heavy expression, "Should we prepare immediately?"
"He's simply returning to his village. There's nothing to worry about!" Danzo calmly replied.
"But the rumors during the Byakugan incident claimed you did nothing. Now with him back, countless villagers are welcoming him enthusiastically. I'm worried…"
*CRACK!*
"Enough! Don't say any more!" Before his words finished, Danzo furiously crushed the armrest of his chair, muttering darkly to himself, "Seiki Shimaseki…"
He had always believed time would change people's perception of him.
The villagers would forget Seiki Shimaseki and recognize only him as Hokage!
But reality was completely opposite. Not only did the powerful clans ignore him, even common villagers didn't take him seriously, treating Seiki Shimaseki like a savior!
Frustrated, Danzo spat, "What do they think he is? Just a failure — a kicked dog who ran away in shame and only dared to crawl back after three years because of me!"
Tatsuma perked up immediately, jumping in, "Hokage-sama, are we going to take action against Seiki Shimaseki? I think we could use the Hokage's authority…"
"Ahem!" Danzo subtly glared at him, "Am I the kind of evil man who abuses power to bully others?"
That guy Seiki Shimaseki had just overthrown the Mizukage in Mist. What if he decided to do the same here and removed him too, then blamed it on someone trapping him under Genjutsu!
Then everyone would be celebrating while he was locked away in the hospital, declared mentally unstable.
Thinking about the similarly "mentally unstable" Fourth Mizukage, Danzo momentarily felt a chill.
Tatsuma blinked, realization dawning. Oh, Hokage-sama was just venting, right?
Seeing the odd look in Tatsuma's eyes, Danzo cut in sharply, "What truly matters is this invitation from the Raikage!"
Danzo tapped the document in his hand, narrowing his eyes, "The Kage Summit—it's the perfect opportunity for me to restore the Hokage's authority!"
"Restore the Hokage's authority?"
"Tatsuma asked in surprise, 'What are you planning to do?'
Danzo let out a sinister chuckle. 'Isn't the goal to deal with the Akatsuki organization? Since they wanna gang up on them, someone's gotta step up and lead the charge, right?'
Tatsuma replied carefully, 'But even if the other ninja villages agree to ally, they probably wouldn't choose you as leader, would they?'
'Then let the ninja way decide who becomes leader,' Danzo said. 'Naturally, as Kage, we shouldn't get involved directly. Let our subordinates compete and determine the outcome.'
Tatsuma looked uneasy. 'You plan to have Seiki Shimaseki fight?'
Danzo smiled. 'After all, he must publicly obey my orders. Besides, this isn't for my personal gain, but for Konoha's honor. I don't see why he would refuse.'
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